Independent Calibration of Water Vapor Raman Lidar by using Additional Elastic Measurements at Water Vapor Raman Wavelength

A new method for independent calibration of water vapor Raman lidar by using additional measurements of elastic signals at water vapor Raman wavelength was introduced. The water vapor mixing ratio calibration constant was derived from nitrogen mixing ratio calibration constant and Rayleigh to water vapor Raman backscattering cross section ratio. The nitrogen mixing ratio calibration constant with uncertainties of 1~2% can be determined from the nitrogen mixing ratio measurement in an aerosolfree zone in the upper troposphere with the additional elastic measurement and nitrogen Raman measurement, the Rayleigh to water vapor Raman backscattering cross section ratio can be calculated with uncertainties of about 8%, or can be determined experimentally with uncertainties of less than 5%. Using the experimental cross section ratio, a total uncertainty of the water vapor calibration less than 6% is possible to achieve. Because this calibration method utilizes actual lidar signals in nitrogen and water vapor detection channels, the calibration can fully capture lidar state changes.